Man struck by train on elevated tracks in downtown St. Louis

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ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI)- A man is in the hospital this morning, lucky to be alive after being struck by a train. The accident happened around 11 p.m. on an elevated track at South Second Street and Chouteau near downtown St. Louis. The train was traveling less than 20 miles an hour when the incident occurred.

Officials say the train's engineer spotted the man on the tracks but was not able to stop in time. Investigators say the Union Pacific train struck the man. He was knocked down and fell between the tracks nearly 100 feet above the ground. Firefighters deployed their equipment to reach him.

The rescue effort was much faster than even fire officials say they expected.

The victim was in stable condition when he arrived at the hospital overnight. It's still unclear why he was on the tracks.